What did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”?

Answer

Jesus speaks the words “Peace, be still” in Mark 4:39 in the King James and New King James Versions, as well as the English Standard Version. The phrasing differs slightly in other translations: “Quiet! Be still” (New International Version) and “Hush, be still” (New American Standard Bible).

Jesus’ directive occurs towards the end of Mark 4:35–41: “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'” (ESV).

“Peace, be still” is the command Jesus used to calm a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The passage describes how Jesus reprimanded the storm—essentially telling it to calm down, much like a teacher calming a rowdy classroom. The disciples were amazed as the elements obeyed his command! His display of authority provided them with insight into his true identity.

Upon closer examination, we see that not only was the storm raging, but so were the disciples. While Jesus slept in the boat, the anxious disciples were filled with fear: “The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?'” “And he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. They woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?'”

How is it that we perish?”, (Mark 4:38). The disciples’ reaction in the midst of the storm revealed their lack of faith. Their question “Don’t you care?” was also a disrespectful challenge to Jesus’ character. Certainly, Jesus cared for them. He had stated, “Let us go over to the other side,” so they should have trusted that they would reach their destination. Moreover, He was present with them, a fact that should have eased their fears.

Before we criticize the disciples too harshly, we must consider that they were still developing their faith. Despite questioning Jesus’ concern for them, they believed He could intervene in the situation. This demonstrated their recognition of His extraordinary power and authority. If twelve out of thirteen individuals on a small boat in the midst of a storm approached the thirteenth person and requested, “Please, do something about this storm,” it would imply they believed the thirteenth individual possessed exceptional abilities. Novelist Charles Dudley Warner humorously remarked that “everybody talks about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it.” However, Jesus can indeed take action, and He is the only one capable of doing so.

After calming the storm, Jesus also reproached the disciples: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” «And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? », (Mark 4:40). Essentially, He was also conveying “Peace, be still” to the disciples. “Calm down. I have always been in complete control.”

When we reflect on Jesus’ words “Peace, be still” today, we should bear in mind that Jesus always maintains control over our circumstances, and when we place our trust in Him, He will bring peace to the turmoil within our souls. In moments when we feel restless and troubled internally, Philippians 4:6–7 instructs us: “Do not be anxious about anything.”

Ng, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” While it is great to see the storm around us calm down, it is even more important that our souls are calm in the midst of the storm. God has not promised to bring peace to every storm, but He has promised to give us peace through any storm if we will trust Him to take care of us.

The song “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Benton Kevin Stokes and Tony W. Wood beautifully communicates this truth:

Sometimes He calms the storm

With a whispered “Peace, be still.”

He can settle any sea,

But it doesn’t mean He will.

Sometimes He holds us close

And lets the wind and waves go wild;

Sometimes He calms the storm,

And other times He calms His child.